The Year of the Horse: Free Reign in the Lunar Calendar

photo credits: Wikipedia

For all the former (and current!) horse girls, it is wonderful news to hear that 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac. Although this means that every brand is releasing horse-themed items preliminary to the Lunar New Year, this special zodiac holds a much deeper meaning in the holiday that goes well beyond material items. 

The Chinese zodiac is a repeating cycle of 12 years, and each year is categorized by a different animal with specific attributes. The order of the animals goes: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig (source: Chinese New Year). While certain animals from this list may seem less optimal than others according to western biases, each animal symbolizes different virtuous qualities that take shape throughout their specific years.

The concept of the Chinese zodiac dates back to the Qin Dynasty, which was over 2000 years ago. The legend states that the Jade emperor, ruler of heaven and earth, created the Chinese zodiac to make it easier for his people to tell the time. He summoned animals to a “great race” and named each year after the first 12 animals that arrived at the palace (source: stoke museums). 

In China – where the new year originated –  the Lunar New Year and its customs (the zodiac being a major one) has been celebrated for thousands of years and is by far the grandest, most culturally significant nation-wide holiday. 

The Lunar New Year essentially revolves around the Chinese zodiac; the start of the year in February (according to the lunar calendar) marks the transition from one animal to the next. As such, February 17th, 2026 is the official beginning of the year of the horse. 

Furthermore, each person has their own Chinese zodiac based on their birth year. 2026 is the year of the horse, as was 2014, 2002, and so on. 

Generally, horses often symbolize a wild spirit and free reign. In Chinese astrology, the horse is responsible, intelligent, fit, and steady. However, they tend to dislike being reigned by others (source: Chinese New Year). A Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Susan Gu, explains that in Chinese culture horses represent action, freedom, speed, and breakthrough (source: Vogue). 

2026 seems to be the year of constant, deliberate, movement, whatever this means to you. Broadly, perhaps it is time to move past obstacles and aim to reach your goals for the year. The horse is in continuous motion, but never rushing. 

The great thing about the Chinese zodiac is how personal you can make it; it works because each animal focuses on qualities that we all have within ourselves, scopes them out and sets the mood for the year. Whether you follow it or not, take this as a sign to evaluate your goals and plans for the new year, however that may apply to you.